Beginning readers need more practice! In this workshop, teachers created beginning-level stories, then reflected on criteria for accessible, enjoyable language and content. The presenter moved to student-generated stories with a fast-paced demonstration.

I.	Schedule and Introduction
II.	Stories for Practice: Presentation *Teacher-Created Stories
III.	Story Creation: Group Work
IV.	Storytelling: Group Stories
V.	The Language of Stories: Presentation + Discussion
VI.	Student-Created Stories: Demonstration *Student-Created Stories
VIII.	Closing

Erie Stanley Gardner, of Perry Mason fame, told an aspiring writer in a letter:

Don't say that the villain is a mean man with a wicked wallop. Show him sliding down from his horse in a rage because the animal jerks away from him. Show him swing a terrific fist and crash the horse on the nose. That gives the reader the idea of the wickedness of his wallop. Then when the villain advances toward the hero with doubled fist the reader gets some suspense because he's seen what happened to the horse. But if you tell the reader the villain is bad and has a mean wallop it's history, and the less history you get into a yarn the better.

Fugate, F. L. and R. B. Fugate. 1980. Secrets of the world's best-selling writer: The
storytelling techniques of Erle Stanley Gardner. New York: William Morrow.

What is the holiday?	Thai New Year S.	Christmas M.V.	Ramadan N.K.
What do you see?	The temple in the morning	Jesus is born.	Crescent moon
What do you smell?	Perfumed Powder	Pine	No smell
What do you hear?	"Let's go pour somewater on somebody!"	Noise of firecrackers
What do you eat (taste)?	Sweet Thai desserts	Tamales	No taste
What do you touch?	Water and Powder	Hugs to everyone	No touch
What is the holiday?	April 13 ­ New Year	Christmas	Ramadan

"I remember very well a special Christmas for me when I was 6 years old. In the morning at 4:30 A.M. I went to see the Christmas tree with my brother and sister, and for me there was nothing. But for my brothers, many toys and candies. I cried and went running to my room but when I entered my room, it was full of toys for me with a note for me: 'Study Harder!'"
Victor ©1989